GerryShedd
Super Moderator
When he made his debut aged just 19, he seemed a great prospect. But I agree that his time is probably up with the Bears and I think he will be lucky to find another county - but good luck to him.
I remember interviewing him during his debut match and him telling me that he and Rob Yates were at university together and sharing a flat.
Biggest worry is star man Maxwell averaging 13.
Not bad, is it?
6.00 pm on the last day, all results still possible and a full house at Edgbaston.
Test Match cricket is still the best!
This book should be an interesting read:
https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/last-corinthian
And a happy 90th birthday to him at the end of June!
Whilst I agree that the pitch could do with more pace in it, somehow it has produced an extremely interesting match with a good balance between bat and ball. If England had taken their chances, the match would be much more strongly in their favour.
I just hope that the weather tomorrow doesn't spoil an excellent finish.
Chris Woakes available for the next three matches is good news:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/durham-vs-bears-20-june-2023/
Overall, added to Hasan Ali leaving, it's not good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/injury-update-ahead-of-blast-r/
Not good news of Norwell:
Robinson says:
“Liam’s had a setback and he’s still probably some weeks away. We’ve got to keep being patient with him because he’s got a bulging disc in his back. These things aren’t straightforward but we’re hoping at some stage he’ll return this season when we need him the most.”
Yes, disappointing for the Club but good news for him.
Norwell's fitness becomes even more of a key issue.
I see that, despite missing four chances yesterday, England are blaming the pitch for not doing better. Stuart Broad says: . “It is a very slow, low surface that zaps the energy out of the ball. It is pretty characterless so far, pretty soulless, but you can only judge a surface towards the end of the match and see how it develops."
Pleased to see that Keith Cook had the honour of taking the Ashes trophy onto the pitch, though I see that they didn't dare bring out the actual Ashes Urn:
https://edgbaston.com/news/ashes-honour-for-bears-legend-keith-cook/?fbclid=IwAR1cWw-wDlUJBi5N1msXP2Etr6Ca39QO7Y4rCln-HAFxXaXe3uhNeIzs3nQ
I guess that Stokes may also have factored in the weather in declaring - my daughter tells me it's raining at Edgbaston right now.
I thought that, having won the toss on that pitch and in this weather, 450 was the minimum score to settle for. But tomorrow, I may be proved totally wrong.
That lad Maxwell (whoever he is) seems to be a useful bowler. Pity he can't bat.
Being serious, although it would be great to have Sam Hain back asap, his absence gave younger players like Mousley and Bethell the chance to shine - and they are (or should be) the future of the Club.
Yes I think that is the best option, both for him and the Club.
The Hain Train is in the station.
Looks like Sam Hain is at least in the squad despite his injury:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/worcestershire-rapids-vs-bears-16-june-2023/#match-match-previews
Worcestershire's new Chief Executive:
https://wccc.co.uk/worcestershire-announce-appointment-of-ashley-giles-as-chief-executive/
Ex-Bear (1979/80) has a go at ex-pupils of his school:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-eton-tories-rees-mogg-b2357278.html
Update from Robinson on Sam Hain:
"He’s sore and he’ll have a scan (hamstring) tomorrow. We won’t know anymore until that happens. He’ll be no more than 50/50 for Friday at this stage.”
I would say that if he has a sore hamstring on Wednesday, he's extremely unlikely to be fully fit by Friday.